Lifestyle Intervention Providing Evidence of Improvement

As reported at the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, the 2-year Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability demonstrated that modifiable risk factors can have an effect on cognitive impairment in at-risk participants.

Study participants, aged 60 to 77, were separated into 2 groups. Those in the lifestyle intervention group concentrated on proper nutrition, exercise, social and cognitive activities, hypertension control, among other variables. After 2 years, the intervention group performed significantly higher in various tests—memory, executive function, speed of cognitive processing. This proof-of-concept study was so successful, researchers plan a 7-year follow-up.